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Dark Sky ManualFor Homeowners
Table of ContentsThank You and Acknowledgement. ................................................... Page 2
Why Dark Skies Matter ...................................................................... Page 3-4
Outdoor Lighting Basics. ................................................................... Page 5
Light Fixture Examples ..................................................................... Page 6
Checklist ............................................................................................ Page 7
Examples of Dark Sky Homes .......................................................... Page 8
Resources. ......................................................................................... Page 9
Thank YouThank you for taking the initiative to learn more about how to make your home more dark sky friendly. The first step is education. Then action. Then reaping the benefits of decreasing light pollution by better health to yourself and those around you. The ultimate benefit is to be able to see the stars! When you are successful in making changes to your home, we would love to hear about it! Send photos to [email protected] or to [email protected]. We at Utah State Parks are committed to protecting our natural resources on the ground and above. Please feel free to let us know how this document can be improved.
AcknowledgementMost of the technical information gathered in this document was obtained from the International Dark Sky Association’s website; http://www.darksky.org/. The organization is a great resource and they have done a fantastic job on the site. Please take the time to check it out.
Why Dark Skies MatterThe Milky Way is vanishing from urban neighborhoods at an astonishing rate. Dark sky friendly choices can eliminate light pollution and provide:
ü Better sleepü Better night vision and safetyü Courtesy between neighborsü Brilliant views of the stars
Light pollution is the excessive use of artificial light.
Exposure to Artificial Light at Night Can Harm Your HealthHumans evolved to the rhythms of the natural light-dark cycle of day and night. The spread of artificial lighting means most of us no longer experience truly dark nights.Research suggests that artificial light at night can negatively affect human health, increasing risks for obesity, depression, sleep disorders, diabetes, breast cancer and more.Circadian Rhythm and MelatoninLike most life on Earth, humans adhere to a circadian rhythm — our biological clock — a sleep-wake pattern governed by the day-night cycle. Artificial light at night can disrupt that cycle.Our bodies produce the hormone melatonin in response to circadian rhythm. Melatonin helps keep us healthy. It has antioxidant properties, induces sleep, boosts the immune system, lowers cholesterol, and helps the functioning of the thyroid, pancreas, ovaries, testes and adrenal glands. Nighttime exposure to artificial light suppresses melatonin production.
Why Dark Skies MatterNot only is there a Human health element, there is a wildlife one too. Wild areas need true darkness. An animal’s ability to forage, hunt, migrate, and sleep relies on the rhythm of daylight and natural darkness. Dark sky friendly lighting helps our wild area stay dark.
Outdoor Lighting BasicsModern society requires outdoor lighting for a variety of needs, including safety and commerce. IDA recognizes this but advocates that any required lighting be used wisely. To minimize the harmful effects of light pollution, lighting should• Only be on when needed• Only light the area that needs it• Be no brighter than necessary• Minimize blue light emissions• Be fully shielded (pointing downward)
The illustration on page 6 provides an easy visual guide to understand the differences between unacceptable, unshielded light fixtures and those fully shielded fixtures that minimize skyglow, glare and light trespass.
Choosing the Right Bulb
Be sure to look at the packaging. All packaging for new CFL and LED light bulbs provide color temperature information. Use low color temperature light sources for interior and exterior light. Their light is less harsh and less harmful to human health and the environment. Look for warm white sources with a color temperature of 3000K or lower.The Kelvin temperature chart below shows you what the numbers mean.
ChecklistUsewarmwhitesources(bulbs)withacolortemperatureof3000Kelvinorlower.Mostlightingproductsprovidethisinformationontheirpackagelabeling.
Lightonlywhereyouneedit.
Lightonlywhenyouneedit.Turnoffthelightswhennotinuse.
Tosaveenergy,don’tuseexcessiveamountsofillumination.
Usetimers,dimmersandmotionssensorswheneverpossible.
Useonly“fullcut-off”or“fullyshielded”lightingfixturesanddirectitdownward.Thatmeansnolightabovethe90-degreeangle.Fullyshieldedlightingcanbepurchasedorretrofitted.
Useenergy-efficientlightingsourcesandfixtures.
Keepindoorlightsinside.Closeblindsandcurtainswhenindoor lightsareonatnight.
Examples of Dark Sky HomesHere are some local examples.
Useofcanlightsoverporches.
Shieldedlights.
Resources
International Dark-Sky Associationhttp://www.darksky.org/
Outdoor Lighting Basicshttp://www.darksky.org/lighting/lighting-basics/
Samples of Community Lighting Ordinanceshttp://www.darksky.org/lighting/lighting-ordinances/
http://www.darksky.org/lighting/model-lighting-laws-policy/
Considerations for Residential and Business Lightinghttp://www.darksky.org/lighting/residentialbusiness-lighting/
Section on "My Neighbor's Lighting"http://www.darksky.org/lighting/my-neighbors-lighting/
Public Outreach Materialshttp://www.darksky.org/resources/public-outreach-materials/
Dark Sky Resource Question and Answershttp://www.darksky.org/resources/faq/
Find Dark Sky Friendly Lightinghttp://www.darksky.org/fsa/fsa-products/
